MCIU Detectives Investigating Hit and Run on Brown-Grier Road

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are conducting an investigation into a hit and run accident involving a vehicle driven by Jenna Woodring and a bicyclist (which resulted in serious injury) to the 50-year old bicyclist, George Scott Curtis.

On July 19, 2012, at approximately 5:50 a.m., Steele Creek Division patrol officers responded to 13900 Brown-Grier Road in reference to a hit and run with injuries.   Upon arrival, officers located a male victim lying in the roadway with serious injuries. Mr. George Curtis was transported to CMC Main with life threatening injuries.  Officers on scene put out a description of the suspect vehicle that was seen fleeing the scene. Shortly after the incident, citizens called 911 stating that there was a vehicle driving erratically on the outer loop of I-485 near Independence Boulevard.

One of the citizens followed the suspect vehicle to the Rocky River Road exit where State Highway Patrol was able to conduct a traffic stop. State Highway Patrol then contacted CMPD advising them they had the hit and run suspect and vehicle.  The suspect in this case was identified as Jenna Esperanza Woodring.  Ms. Woodring was transported to the CMPD headquarters to be interviewed by detectives. Her vehicle was also towed and is currently being processed by Crime Scene Investigation Unit. Ms. Woodring has been charged with DWI, Felony Hit and Run, and Felony Serious Injury by Vehicle.

This collision is under investigation by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major crash Investigation Unit.  Any witnesses to this collision are being asked to call Detective R. Gormican at 704-432-2169.

Bar Fight Leads to Pedestrian Death in Providence Division

Kenan Wells Gay

UPDATE II:  The charges against Kenan Gay have been changed to 2nd degree murder.  His bond is now $100,000. 

UPDATE:  The victim has been identified as Robert (Bobby) Edward Kingston III.  Homicide Unit Detectives have charged the suspect, Kenan Gay, with Murder.

The driver of the vehicle which struck Mr. Kingston III, will not be charged with anything in regards to this incident. Mr. Gay is in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Abbott is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
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Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit and Major Crash Investigation Unit are conducting an investigation into a fatal vehicle crash involving a pedestrian outside of Ed’s Tavern in the Providence Division. The call for service came in at 10:41 p.m., on Saturday, March 03, 2012. Once family notification has been made, the name of the victim will be released.

Providence Division patrol officers responded to the 2200 block of Park Road in reference to a 911 call placed by the driver of the vehicle which struck the victim. The driver stated that the victim was pushed into the path of his vehicle, a 2007 BMW 335i, as he drove south along Park Road crossing over Ideal Way. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene by Medic.

The driver of the BMW pulled over immediately and is cooperating with detectives; he is not facing any charges at this time. Based on initial witness statements, the victim was involved in an altercation with another male subject inside Ed’s Tavern. The altercation spilled outside the bar where moments later the victim was struck by the BMW. The male subject who was involved in the altercation with the victim has been identified and arrested.

Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives of the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Homicide Prosecution Team responded to the scene as well.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Abbott is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Woman Killed by Hit & Run Accident - Driver Arrested

Amber DeJesus

UPDATE: The CMPD Major Crash Investigation Unit received information about the driver and vehicle involved in this collision on 11/19/2011. This information led to the arrest of Amber DeJesus. She was subsequently charged with Felony Hit and Run and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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A woman was crossing the 5900 block of Monroe Road when she was struck by a vehicle that was headed inbound toward downtown Charlotte. This vehicle left the scene without leaving any information or rendering aid to the victim.  The victim has been identified as Valerie Miranda.

Medic arrived at the scene and pronounced the victim deceased. The CMPD Major Crash Investigation Unit responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation. The information gathered at the scene indicates the suspect vehicle could be a dark colored pick-up truck with dually rear wheels. This vehicle could have damage to the right front headlight assembly and right front corner.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or the Major Crash Investigation Unit at 704-432-2169.

Pedestrian Killed by Drunk Driver

Victim: Autumn Soyka

On October 30th around 1:00am, Autumn Lynn Soyka, was attempting to cross the 1900 block of E. 7th Street when she was struck by the left front bumper of a 2004 Cadillac CTS being driven by Stephen Watts.

The collision occurred in the inbound right lane of E. 7th Street. Autumn Soyka was not crossing at an intersection and was not in a marked crosswalk at the time of the collision. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision due to injuries sustained during the crash.

Mr. Watts stopped and remained at the scene of the collision until police arrived. Field sobriety tests indicated Mr. Watts was impaired and he was placed under arrest and charged with DWI, Involuntary Manslaughter and License Restriction Violation.

Stephen Watts

The CMPD Major Crash Investigation Unit responded to the scene and conducted the investigation. Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about the case is asked to call Detective Sammis at 704-336-8862.  He is leading the investigation.

DON'T DRINK & DRIVE!!!  THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!

* View Autumn Soyka's Memorial Website

Woman Charged with Manslaughter after Hitting Pedestrian

Melissa Wooten

On July 14th at 10:56pm, Rosemarie Lyle was attempting to cross the 3500 block of N. Tryon Street near Guy E. Suddreth Avenue.   Ms. Lyle stepped off of the curb and into the right outbound lane where she was struck by a vehicle driven by Melissa Wooten.

Rosemarie Lyle was transported to CMC-main with life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased on July 15th at 12:14am.

Ms. Wooten stopped her vehicle in a nearby parking lot and returned to the scene of the crash. Field sobriety tests indicated Ms. Wooten was impaired and she was placed under arrest and charged with DWI.
 
The CMPD Major Crash Investigation Unit responded to the scene and conducted the investigation.   Any person who witnessed the crash or has information about the case is asked to call Detective Allred at 704-336-8862.  Allred is leading the investigation.

CMPD Officer Seriously Injured in Head-On Collision

On Tuesday, July 05, 2011, at 2:12 pm., CMPD Officer Jim Guard with the Freedom Division was involved in a serious motor vehicle crash.  Officer Guard was driving a marked CMPD patrol vehicle and heading south on Steele Creek Road from Brown-Grier Road towards Westinghouse Boulevard.

The second vehicle, a Jeep Liberty SUV, was heading north on Steele Creek Road at the time of the collision.  Based upon the witness statement of a driver traveling directly behind Officer Guard, the driver of the Jeep Liberty crossed over the double yellow line and collided head-on with Officer Guard’s vehicle. This stretch of road is one lane in each direction, divided by a double yellow line.

Witnesses traveling along Steele Creek Road called 911 to report the incident and remained on scene to be interviewed by the CMPD Major Crash Investigations Unit.  Both Officer Guard and the driver (sole occupant) of the Jeep were seriously injured during the collision.  The driver of the Jeep was transported via ambulance to Carolinas Medical Center.

Due to the severity of his Officer Guard's injuries and the length of time it took to extricate him from his patrol car, he was transported to CMC via helicopter.  Officer Guard is a 22-year veteran of CMPD with a hire date of August 2, 1989.

Crime Scene Search responded to collect physical evidence and photograph the scene.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-336-8862 and speak with the lead Detective Sammis.  In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

If anyone would like to donate to Officer J.D. Guard, please send your check to:
April Five Organization
10612-D Providence Road, PMB 745
Charlotte, NC 28277
* 100% of donations will go to Officer Guard and all donations are tax deductible.

Multi-Vehicle Accident Kills 1; Injures 2 Police Officers & 6 Others

UPDATE: The driver of the 4-Runner was arrested and charged with Misdemeanor Death by Motor Vehicle and No Operators License. The driver has been identified as Delvin Joel Marin Contreras.
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On Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 7:20 a.m., Patrol Officer Jeff Templeton with the Central Division responded to a disabled vehicle, a Chevy Impala, on the outer loop of I-277 approaching Carson Boulevard. The disabled vehicle, occupied by a driver and two passengers, was parked on the left side of the roadway in the breakdown lane, out of the travel lanes.

Officer Templeton exited his vehicle and began to assist the motorist. Moments later, a Toyota Camry crashed into the rear of Officer Templeton’s marked CMPD cruiser; Officer Templeton was outside the vehicle at the time of the crash. The Toyota Camry was occupied by a driver and three passengers.

Westover Division Officer Chris Kunz, who was off duty at the time, was passing by in his personal vehicle and stopped to assist Officer Templeton. Officer Kunz parked his vehicle and began to assist Officer Templeton and the other motorists. Moments later, a Toyota 4-Runner crashed into the right rear of the Toyota Camry which had initially crashed into Officer Templeton’s police cruiser.

As a result of this crash, the driver of the Toyota Camry, who was now standing on the roadway talking to the officers, was struck and killed by the Toyota 4Runner. Officers Templeton and Kunz were also struck during this second collision and were transported to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Officer Kunz’ unoccupied personal vehicle was then struck by a cab driver traveling along I-277 at the conclusion of the first two crashes; there were a total of three crashes during this incident. A total of eight patients were transported to area hospitals for treatment; the two officers, three passengers from the Toyota Camry and three occupants of the Chevy Impala. There were a total of four occupants in the Toyota 4Runner, none of which were transported to a hospital. Officer Templeton has been with the CMPD since December 9, 1992. Officer Kunz has been with the CMPD since September 8, 2008.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Major Crash Investigations Unit is on scene investigating the incident and will release additional information as it becomes available. The deceased driver of the Toyota Camry has been identified as William Alan Sweezer.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Detective Oberer at 704-432-2169. If you would like to help the officers injured in the crash, please contact the April Five Organization.